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It was eight weeks in the past when the Villa attacker was standing on the Sunderland turf, seeming perplexed while his coach scolded him for missing a penetrating pass. During that period, as the club failed to win in six, the question was if Rogers' form were an indicator or the reason of the side's wider issues.

“When Rogers netted his second… Emery tore off his coat, threw his arms wide, and bellowed in delight.”

This weekend, however, the sideline response was entirely decidedly more positive. After the England international curled home his brace-sealing goal to reclaim Villa's lead, the Spanish tactician tore off his winter coat, opened his arms and roared. Villa continued to a 10th successive win and after failing to win any of their first six fixtures, are somehow only three points behind table-toppers Arsenal.

Is This Team Genuine Hopefuls?

It remains an exceptionally difficult proposition to address. History, the perceived status of this institution, argues against it. Furthermore, they've rarely been entirely convincing this season, while the wins have piled up.

As per the data, in only two games have Villa registered an xG significantly higher than their opponents. For a team who have just won ten consecutive victories, they appear strangely fragile – however right now the fine lines are swinging for them.

The Rogers Recipe

The prevailing tactic appears to be to engage in a shootout with the opposition and then rely on their talisman to save the day with a couple of clinical strikes. This was the case at Leeds, it occurred at West Ham, and it happened when facing Manchester United.

His opener originated from a superb shot, curled precisely inside the post from a wide position. For his second was essentially a slight scruffier version of the opener as he pounced on a pass from Watkins.

“Perhaps Rogers’ right foot is becoming like Arjen Robben’s left: just because you know he’s going to whip the ball into the top corner doesn’t mean you can stop him.”

Can It Last?

Reason suggests otherwise. Against United, the opposition registered a greater number of attempts and more efforts on goal. The team has triumphed in eight consecutive games by the narrowest of margins. They’ve conceded in nearly all of those games.

A reversion to average may well be the greatest opponent they will encounter over the coming weeks. Rogers, almost certainly, cannot maintain thrashing his shots into the top corner forever.

Potential for Growth

Perhaps there is a different scenario where, rather than results trending towards performances, performances begin to trend towards results. Important figures could still return to peak condition.

• Ollie Watkins might resume finding the net regularly.
• Jadon Sancho might become the force he showed in Germany.
• The defensive duo are set to regain fitness, strengthening an occasionally vulnerable defence.

Perhaps there is in that the potential of a genuine bid, but they surely cannot keep relying on a single individual.

Relishing the Unlikely

Yet, nobody expected this. Few believed the team would be in the top three for the holidays. And most definitely back in October, few could imagine the young forward as the year closed would be at the forefront of a title charge while looking like an essential Three Lions star.

This winning streak should be enjoyed exactly since it seems so surreal. As the match-winner stood in front of the Villa faithful after the match conducting the cheers, it was clear to be relishing every moment. A feeling he has rightly earned. These runs of form do not happen often and ought to be celebrated.